Here is a long but great, review of Nona's Urban Pizza that balances those vibrant Lake Nona vibes…read morewith a heavy dose of Camuyano nostalgia.
The "Camuy Connection": A Technicolor Time Machine in Lake Nona
Walking into Nona's Urban Pizza at Lake Nona Landing, you aren't greeted by the standard "industrial-chic" brick and dim lighting. No, this place is funky, bright, and colorful--the kind of aesthetic that feels like a party is about to break out at any second. It's vibrant, loud, and unapologetically cheerful.
The Garlic Knot Dilemma: A "Friends" Tragedy
First, let's talk about the appetizers. The garlic knots were solid--soft, warm, and clearly made with love. However, as someone who considers a raw clove of garlic a reasonable snack, I found myself wanting more.
I was looking for that Monica Geller "pretentious, comma, garlicky" level of intensity. I wanted to be in a "garlic coma" so profound that Phoebe and Monica would have to fight over my attention like they did with "Coma Guy" in Season 1. If I don't wake up the next morning wondering if I've transformed into a giant bulb of Allium sativum, was there really enough garlic?
The Slice of My Youth
But then, the pizza arrived.
The first bite didn't just taste good; it was a sensory teleportation device. Suddenly, I wasn't in an Orlando shopping plaza--I was back in Camuy, Puerto Rico. It captured the exact essence of those local pizzerias near the pueblo where I spent my high school years.
It had that specific "PR-style" soul: the perfect cheese-to-crust ratio and a flavor profile that felt like home. Whether it's the way the dough is handled or a secret in the sauce, it hit the same nostalgic notes as those legendary spots like John's Pizza or the local gems tucked away in Camuy. It's rare to find a slice in Florida that doesn't just mimic a New York style, but actually respects the island roots.
The Verdict
Nona's Urban Pizza is a neon-colored bridge to my past. While I might bring my own pocket-garlic for the knots next time to reach true "Friends"-level intensity, the pizza itself is a masterpiece of memory.
Rating:
(One extra slice for making me feel like a teenager in Camuy again.)
The Menu: A Caribbean-Italian Fever Dream
If the standard cheese slice is a time machine to Camuy, these specialty items are a full-blown festival in the middle of the pueblo.
The Heavy Hitters: Specialty Pizzas
* The "Tripleta" Pizza: This is the heavyweight champion. Imagine the iconic Puerto Rican street sandwich--ham, steak, and pork--reimagined on a pizza crust. It's topped with crunchy potato sticks and a generous drizzle of mayo-ketchup. It's salty, savory, and has that specific "crunch" that defines a late-night snack in PR.
* The "Domi" Pizza: For those who want a bold taste of the Caribbean, this is it. It features sweet plantains (maduros), Dominican-style salami, and fried cheese (queso frito), all brought together with a guava sauce drizzle. It's a sweet-and-savory masterpiece that defies pizza physics.
* The "Chama" Pizza: A nod to Venezuelan flavors, featuring mozzarella, smoked honey ham, and--crucially--whole kernel corn.
Specialty Appetizers & Fusion Bites
* Nono Crazy Tostones: Forget standard fries; these are six fried green plantains loaded with cheese sauce and savory chorizo.
* The Nono Sampler: This is the ultimate "I can't decide" move. It's a mix of mini pizza empanadas, cornmeal sticks (sorullitos), and mini chicken cordon bleu bites, served with marinara and that essential mayo-ketchup.
* Wings with Tostones: Because why have celery when you can have perfectly fried plantains?
Homemade "Made-to-Order" Pasta
The pasta menu at Nona's keeps that homestyle comfort alive, often with a unique twist:
* Meat Lasagna with Sweet Plantains: This is their "Lasagna Jibara." Instead of just pasta layers, they integrate sweet plantains into the meat and cheese stacks for a rich, tropical take on the Italian classic.
* Spaghetti Carbonara with Chicken: A creamy, made-to-order favorite with crispy bacon and tender chicken.
* Baked Spaghetti with Meatballs: For when you want that oven-toasted cheese crust on top of your noodles.
Pro Tip: If you're going for the Tripleta Calzone or the Domi, don't even try to be "dignified" about it. Just lean into the mayo-ketchup and enjoy the ride.